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"A longtime Dallas staple open since the ’80s that has hosted many of the city’s most legendary chefs; the latest chef to take the reins is Charles Olalia, who moved to Dallas from L.A. and has injected the menu with a touch of Filipino flavor married to Texas staples while meeting fine-dining expectations. Case in point: the salt-and-pepper fried quail, which "made its way from the Mansion Bar menu to the tasting menu to a featured entree on the restaurant’s dinner menu," a savory, juicy, rich dish that crosses Texan and Filipino traditions while elevated into fine dining. The venue delivers multiple experiences: eat at the bar while a band plays and folks dance (a prime people-watching spot), enjoy the tasting menu on the picturesque patio, or opt for a multi-course white-tablecloth dinner in the restaurant — described as "just about the most Dallas place to be in Dallas." - Courtney E. Smith